Jennifer Hudson's ex brother-in-law guilty of murdering her family

CHICAGO — Actress Jennifer Hudson cried softly as her former brother-in-law was convicted Friday of murdering her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

Hudson bowed her head as jurors entered the courtroom. The Academy Award-winning actress leaned forward when the verdict was read and softly wept.

William Balfour was found guilty on all counts of murder, home invasion, armed robbery and kidnapping and faces mandatory life in prison. He showed no emotion when the verdict was announced, but his family cried.

His attorney, Amy Thompson, said she would file a motion for a new trial June 8 and would be preparing an appeal as well.

The verdict came less than three hours after jurors sent a note telling the judge they were split but trying to decide.

The jury began deliberations late Wednesday and had been sequestered for two nights at a hotel. They resumed deliberations Friday at 10:10 a.m.

Balfour, 31, was accused of fatally shooting the singer's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57; her brother, Jason Hudson, 29, and her 7-year-old nephew Julian King in October 2008.

Prosecutors said he was upset that his estranged wife, Hudson's sister, Julia, had begun seeing another man.